[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 150 (Tuesday, August 5, 1997)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 42093]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-20594]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Fish and Wildlife Service

50 CFR Part 23


Proposed Revision of Regulations Implementing the Endangered 
Species Convention (Convention on International Trade in Endangered 
Species of Wild Fauna and Flora; CITES)

AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of intent to propose rulemaking.

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SUMMARY: This document requests suggestions and recommendations from 
the public for revisions to certain Federal regulations which implement 
the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild 
Fauna and Flora (CITES) in the United States; 50 CFR part 23 subparts 
A, B, C, and D. These regulations, which the U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service (Service) plans to update and modify, include provisions 
concerned with the import, export, re-export, and introduction from the 
sea of CITES-listed wildlife and plants to and from the United States, 
as well as those regulations which cover public participation in the 
development of U.S. negotiating positions for meetings of the CITES 
Conference of the Parties (COP).

DATES: Comments and other information received through September 30, 
1997, will be considered by the Service in developing proposed 
amendments to 50 CFR part 23.

ADDRESSES: Comments and other information should be sent to Kenneth 
Stansell, Chief, Office of Management Authority, 4401 N. Fairfax Drive, 
Room 430, Arlington, VA 22203.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bruce J. Weissgold or Susan S. 
Lieberman, Office of Management Authority, U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service: telephone 703/358-2093; fax 703/358-2280.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Electronic Access

    Comments and other information can also be sent via electronic mail 
(E-mail) to: [email protected].

Background

    The Service is planning to revise regulations covering the 
implementation of CITES in the United States (50 CFR part 23) in order 
to provide the public with a more transparent and open explanation of 
Service procedures with regard to the implementation of CITES wildlife 
and plant international trade control provisions. The Service is 
considering revising and reorganizing subparts A , B, C, and D of 50 
CFR part 23. These regulations were last revised in 1977 and 1980 
(depending on which subpart is considered); and since that time, the 
Service has developed and modified procedures to adjust to the changing 
circumstances and conditions necessary for effective CITES 
implementation in the United States.
    At each of the ten CITES COPs convened since the treaty went into 
force in 1975, including COP10 which was held in Harare, Zimbabwe in 
June 1997, interpretive resolutions to the Convention have been adopted 
by the Parties. The Service has determined that some of these 
interpretive CITES resolutions, as they relate directly to 
implementation and enforcement of the Convention, need to be 
implemented through the promulgation of regulations. In addition, the 
Service has developed procedures through the statutory authority 
granted by Congress in the Endangered Species Act but has not yet 
updated Part 23 to incorporate those procedures. The proposed revision 
of 50 CFR part 23 will address those procedures and interpretive 
resolutions.
    Furthermore, it is the intent of the Service to find ways to 
improve and enhance the opportunities which the public has to 
participate in the development of policy positions for meetings of the 
CITES Conference of the Parties (COP). The Service intends to continue 
to fully consider public input on the development of U.S. policy 
positions, and invites comments as to how the Service can most 
effectively receive information from the public on CITES COP policy 
position formulation. The Service will consider all comments regarding 
revisions to subparts A, B, C, and D of 50 CFR part 23, as well as 
comments on specific procedures related to these regulations. The 
Service is not requesting comments which are unrelated to 50 CFR part 
23 revisions, such as CITES species listing positions, policy positions 
related to the CITES Conference of the Parties (COP), or any other 
wildlife trade issue which is not directly related to 50 CFR part 23 
revisions.
    Interested organizations and individuals are invited to comment on 
the planned revision of 50 CFR part 23 and on public participation in 
the development of Service policy positions for CITES COPs. The Service 
will consider all comments received during the comment period in 
drafting a proposed rule.

    Author: This notice was prepared by Bruce J. Weissgold, Office 
of Management Authority, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, under the 
authority of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (16 
U.S.C. 1531 et seq.).

List of Subjects in 50 CFR Part 23

    Endangered and threatened species, Exports, Imports, Treaties.

    Dated: July 23, 1997.
John G. Rogers,
Acting Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. 97-20594 Filed 8-4-97; 8:45 am]
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